After summiting Everest and becoming the first American Foreign Service Officer to achieve this feat, Public Affairs Chief Mike Harker reflects on what the climb revealed beyond the mountain.
In an exclusive interview with The Himalayan Times, Mike highlights the vital role of Sherpas in strengthening Nepal’s adventure tourism industry, the expertise and innovation behind the climb, and the opportunities for stronger partnerships between American companies and Nepal’s tourism sector.
He also shares how strengthening adventure tourism can unlock real economic opportunities for Nepal and mountain communities.
Read the full interview here: https://t.co/TW4ooRpMFv
Education and sports are powerful foundations for Nepal’s future and the enduring partnership between our countries.
Yesterday, Chargé d’Affaires Scott Urbom met with Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel to discuss ways to further U.S.-Nepal cooperation. Minister Pokharel also reflected on how his experience studying in the United States shaped his perspective on education and public service.
The conversation highlighted the value of university and private-sector partnerships, as well as the role sports can play in supporting the broader education system and career development. We look forward to working together to expand opportunities for Nepal’s students and athletes and strengthen ties between our institutions and communities.
Those who seek to commit fraud bring increased scrutiny on all visa applicants. We protect the U.S. visa system with rigorous screening, and our officers take fraud very seriously. If you are aware of visa fraud, please report it at [email protected].
Fraud Tip: Don’t pay someone else to fill out your visa, passport, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA applications). Visit our website for information on how you can fill out your own application. Save money and protect your identity. Learn more at: https://t.co/0TtOANNHHm
Yesterday, Chargé d’Affaires Scott Urbom met with Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal to discuss the strength of the U.S.-Nepal relationship and how our countries can build on nearly eight decades of partnership by expanding economic and people-to-people ties.
During the conversation, Foreign Minister Khanal also congratulated Public Affairs Chief Mike Harker on his recent summit of Mount Everest. The exchange underscored the potential for tourism promotion initiatives that bring together government officials, athletes, and entrepreneurs to support Nepal’s economic growth while creating new opportunities for American companies and investors.
Chargé d’Affaires Scott Urbom joined Veel to celebrate its expansion across Nepal and India. Veel is a U.S.-based technology company that uses artificial intelligence to help brands and content creators develop campaigns, produce and manage content, and collaborate more efficiently, with a growing team of software developers in Kathmandu.
Veel’s growth comes at an important moment for Nepal’s creator economy and complements our efforts to help turn creative talent into economic opportunity. Through initiatives such as U.S. Embassy Nepal’s Creators Mela, we help creators strengthen their professional skills, connect with businesses, and build sustainable enterprises.
As the United States marks 250 years of independence, we continue to champion the freedom to create, build, innovate, and compete.
Veel demonstrates what American enterprise and Nepali expertise can achieve together: more jobs, stronger commercial ties, expanded digital trade, and new opportunities for creators and businesses across the region.
Congratulations to the Veel team on this important milestone.
Respecting U.S. Visa Terms and Periods of Admission: Know the Rules, Avoid the Risks
What is an overstay?
✅ An overstay occurs when a person remains in the United States beyond the authorized date recorded on the Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Form).
✅ Travelers can check their I-94 online on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s website the CBP GO mobile app.
✅ This date is the legal limit of authorized stay – not the expiration date printed on the visa itself.
What are the consequences of an overstay?
✅ The consequences of remaining in the United States beyond your authorized period of stay could include having your visa revoked and possible deportation.
✅ It also could include future visa ineligibility, potential bans on re-entry to the United States, and criminal prosecution.
How do you avoid an overstay?
✅ Check your Form I-94.
✅ The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has a tool for travelers to check their admission status at https://t.co/7Ikxs7wDTN and clicking on the ‘View Compliance’ tab.
✅ Mark your “admit until” date on your calendar and depart the United States on or before that date.
Today, the United States, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, donated 40 drug and precursor testing kits to Nepal Police and Nepal Customs to strengthen their ability to rapidly identify illicit substances and combat narcotics trafficking to and through Nepal.
Each kit can test approximately 200 substance samples, providing frontline officers with practical tools to support faster, evidence-based investigations. "Strong partnerships are essential to addressing transnational crime," said Chargé d'Affaires Scott Urbom.
"By working together with UNODC, Nepal Police, and Nepal Customs, the United States is helping equip frontline personnel with the tools they need to detect illicit drugs, strengthen border security, and keep our communities safer."
Building on this shared effort, the United States remains committed to working with Nepal to strengthen law enforcement capacity, counter illicit drug trafficking, and protect the safety and security of both our countries.
प्रश्न: मेरो गैर-आप्रवासी (Nonimmigrant) भिसाको म्याद छिट्टै सकिँदैछ। के भिसा नवीकरणका लागि छुट्टै फाराम वा प्रक्रिया हुन्छ?
उत्तर: हुँदैन। तपाईंले हरेक पटक भिसाका लागि आवेदन गर्दा Form DS-160 भर्नै पर्छ। थप जानकारीका लागि कृपया हाम्रो वेबसाइट हेर्नुहोस्।
#VisaFAQ
Question: My nonimmigrant visa will expire soon. Is there a separate form or process for renewals?
Answer: No, you still need to complete Form DS-160 each time you apply for a visa. Check our website for more information.
Yesterday, at a repatriation ceremony hosted by Nepal’s Department of Archaeology, two sacred treasures returned home: a 13th-century gilt bronze Padmapani and a 16th-century polychromed wooden Nrityadevi.
The United States is proud to partner with Nepal in the return of these significant cultural artifacts, reflecting years of close cooperation to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property and restore sacred objects to the communities where they belong. The newly enacted U.S.-Nepal Cultural Property Agreement builds on this longstanding partnership and provides a stronger framework for future collaboration, including joint efforts to support investigations, prevent trafficking, and safeguard Nepal’s rich cultural heritage.
“To date, 127 Nepali antiquities have been returned from the United States to their rightful homes in Nepal,” said Public Affairs Chief Mike Harker. “With the return of these two sacred statues, that record of cooperation grows stronger and demonstrates how criminal investigations, diplomatic coordination, and community advocacy can work together to disrupt antiquities trafficking networks. The new U.S.-Nepal Cultural Property Agreement gives our two countries an even stronger foundation to build on this work, support future investigations, and help prevent Nepal’s sacred heritage from entering the illicit market.”
The United States congratulates the Government and people of Nepal on this important milestone and remains committed to working alongside Nepal to protect cultural heritage, uphold the rule of law, and preserve the country’s remarkable history for future generations.
Today, we celebrate 250 years of American independence and the enduring promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
This milestone is more than a birthday. It is a reminder of the ideals that have shaped the United States for two and a half centuries: self-government, individual freedom, and the belief that people should have the opportunity to build a better future.
For 79 years, the United States and Nepal have built a friendship through economic opportunity, education, cultural preservation, and people-to-people connections.
As we mark this historic anniversary, we celebrate not only America’s founding ideals, but also the partnership that continues to bring the people of the United States and Nepal closer together.
Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸
U.S. Embassy Nepal warmly welcomed approximately 1,000 honored guests from Nepal’s political, business, civil society, and media communities to this week’s celebration of 250 years of American independence.
Celebrating the theme of the Great American State Fair, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Scott Urbom said, “The state fair is America at its most authentic: neighbors coming together across from every background and belief, sharing food, music, and laughter, and showcasing the ingenuity and hard work that define us as a people. The state fair is community. It’s pride. It’s the living, breathing proof that out of many, we are one. That same spirit — of openness, of shared endeavor, of genuine partnership — is what has defined the relationship between the United States and Nepal for more than seven decades.”
As we mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we reflect not only on our founding ideals, but also on the enduring role of diplomacy in shaping our nation’s journey and global impact. This milestone reminds us that the American experiment—our pursuit of a more perfect union—is a living story, continually shaped by the hard work of generations of Americans at home and abroad.
Last week, CDA Scott Urbom welcomed members of Nepal's first-ever SelectUSA Investment Summit delegation back to Embassy Kathmandu following their participation in this year's Summit, held May 3–6 in Maryland.
Sabin Thapa of Green Tick Nepal, Sitesh Bhattarai of SwiftFin Global, and Anish Shrestha of EventsMo and TechKraft shared highlights from the Summit, including meetings with state economic development officials, new business connections, and opportunities to learn more about establishing operations in the United States. They appreciated meeting @DeputySecState Christopher Landau who impressed them with his knowledge of Nepal and strongly encouraged stronger commercial ties and investment in the United States.
Nepal's first official SelectUSA delegation opened new doors for bilateral commerce and created new opportunities to deepen U.S.-Nepal trade and investment ties. We look forward to accelerating that momentum and welcoming an even larger delegation next year!
Yesterday, the United States formally handed over a state-of-the-art Digital Forensic Laboratory to Nepal Police during a ceremony at Nepal Police Headquarters. Funded through a $1.5 million project from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and implemented by the Department of Justice’s ICITAP program, the lab includes advanced digital forensic tools and specialized training to help Nepal Police investigate cyber-enabled transnational crime.
“Today, virtually every crime has a cyber dimension. Whether it is trafficking, corruption, fraud, or violent crime, digital evidence is often the key to uncovering the truth,” said Chargé d’Affaires Scott Urbom. “This laboratory provides Nepal’s law enforcement professionals with the tools and skills they need to meet the challenges of 21st-century crime while upholding the rule of law.”
This handover reflects the enduring U.S.-Nepal partnership to strengthen justice, support the rule of law, and enhance public safety. The Digital Forensic Laboratory will help Nepal Police collect, analyze, and preserve critical digital evidence and serve as a model for digital forensic capabilities in South Asia.
Are you a journalist, content creator, and filmmaker specializing in fact-based, human-centered storytelling—and interested in addressing the risks of illegal migration while encouraging economic resilience and stability through local opportunities?
The U.S. Embassy Nepal invites eligible applicants to submit proposals for a communications campaign that promotes informed decision-making on migration and highlights economic growth opportunities within Nepal.
We are seeking proposals that:
- Raise awareness about the risks, financial costs, and long-term consequences of irregular migration
- Produce compelling multimedia content, including feature stories and videos, featuring the experiences of migrants, returnees, and affected families
- Promote informed decision-making among at-risk populations through strategic messaging
By promoting informed, lawful decision-making on migration, this initiative will advance U.S. efforts to strengthen border security, support safe and legal migration pathways, and reinforce shared prosperity and stability between the United States and Nepal.
Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Nepal Standard Time, July 20, 2026
Submit applications to: [email protected]
For full details, application materials, and guidance, please visit our website. Link in the comments below.
If you attempt to travel to the border, your physical safety and life are in peril, with cartels, gangs, and criminals assaulting and killing people making the journey. If you illegally cross the border, you will be imprisoned or deported.
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Scott Urbom welcomed attendees to the U.S. Soybean Export Council - USSEC’s regional “Soy for Nutrition & Innovation” workshop in Kathmandu, highlighting the role of high-quality U.S. soybeans in driving food innovation, improving nutrition, and supporting food systems globally.
As the grandson and nephew of soybean farmers, CDA Urbom shared how farming shaped his family’s story for generations. He reflected on how his grandfather would be proud to see him speaking at a soybean event halfway around the world.
He emphasized how partnerships between U.S. producers and food manufacturers in the region can help expand access to nutritious soy-based foods while supporting economic growth and food security.
The USDA-supported (@tasteofamericanin) workshop brought together soy food producers, manufacturers, and industry stakeholders from across Nepal, India, and Bangladesh to explore the advantages of U.S. Identity-Preserved (IP) soybeans. These non-GMO soybeans are grown for specific qualities and carefully tracked from farm to market, helping food producers choose the right soybean for products such as tofu, soymilk, and tempeh.
Would you like to try products made with high-quality U.S. IP soy? Look for the “Identity Preserved United States” label on local products!